7 Foods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea

It is very important to know what to eat for diarrhea. But it is also important to know what to avoid when you have diarrhea.

The last thing you want to happen is to make your diarrhea worse by consuming foods that could potentially aggravate your stomach or have even more intestinal spasms. Here are the foods you should avoid when you have diarrhea.

foods to avoid for diarrhea / photo credit: vkool

1. Caffeine, Carbonated Beverages and Alcohol

For healthy individuals, drinks that contain caffeine, alcohol and carbonation do not generally cause diarrhea. But, each has the potential to be a GI irritant, and thus are probably best avoided until your system come back to normal.

Do not drink soda either. The components present in soda may actually make things worse. A good choice would be to take an oral rehydration solution, or just plain water.

When you have diarrhea, it is essential to replenish fluids lost, so drink up.

2. Dairy Products

The first group of foods you have to avoid are those made from milk. Even if you do not suffer from lactose intolerance, it is a good idea to avoid dairy products for a while after suffering from a case of diarrhea.

Diarrhea can cause a lessening of the enzyme lactase. Lactase is needed by your body to digest lactose, the sugar which is found in dairy products. If the “milk sugar” does not get digested, it can result in further symptoms of bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea. Below are some common lactose-containing foods:

– Cream
– Cheese
– Ice cream
– Milk
– Sour cream

Notes:
The one food exception is yogurt. The probiotics present in yogurt may actually help your body to heal.

3. Fatty Foods

Foods that have high fat content can speed up intestinal contractions, therefore causing a reaction to a system that is already sensitized, which guarantees a trip to the toilet.

Notes:
Good food choices include lean protein, such as white meat turkey or chicken, or broth-based soups.

4. Fresh Vegetables

When you are suffering from diarrhea, fresh vegetables should be avoided. These vegetables are rich in fibrous materials, and can cause discomfort to your digestive system.

Fibers and roughage also act like natural laxatives in your body. These help with the movement of food throughout the alimentary canal, and allow them to be expelled from your body easily.

5. Legumes

Whether you eat lima beans, soybeans or peas, these legumes move into the small intestine and enter the large intestine undigested.

Undigested legumes is one of the main causes of diarrhea and flatulence. Also, legumes are high in lectins, which are class of proteins that cause increased inflammation in your gut.

To prevent diarrhea, legumes can be consume with soluble fiber. But, avoid eating legumes if you are already suffering from diarrhea.

6. Spicy Foods

Spicy foods, such as hot sauce, peppers, Tabasco and curry-based dishes should also be avoided when you have diarrhea. These spices are natural laxatives, which can cause an intensification of the symptoms when consumed in large quantities.

7. Sugar Substitutes

Artificial sweeteners are included in the list of diarrhea-causing foods, and these includemannitol, xylitol and sorbitol, which are most commonly found in sugar-free candy, gum and medications.

These sweeteners are absorbed much more slowly, as compared to table sugar. Also, these tend to reach the large intestine without being absorbed, which in turn can cause diarrhea. Also, the bacteria in the stomach consume those sugars, thus producing more gas.

If you are prone to stomach disorders such as diarrhea, always read the nutrition labels on foods, before you purchase them to avoid artificial sweeteners.